July 11, 2011 - Houston police are investigating an incident in which an armed suspect was fatally shot by an HPD officer after the suspect fatally stabbed another man at 4401 West 18th Street about 2:05 a.m. today.

The identity of the deceased suspect, age unknown, is pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences. The identity of the victim fatally stabbed is also pending verification.

HPD Officer C. E. Hightower, who discharged his duty weapon, was not injured in this incident. Officer Hightower was sworn in as an officer in April 2007 and is assigned to the Northeast Patrol Division.

Officer Hightower and another HPD officer were in uniform and working an approved extra job near a gas station at the above location when they witnessed a fight between several males near the gas pumps. Both officers immediately ran to the pumps to stop the fight. As officers stopped the fight, they witnessed the suspect stabbing another male. Officer Hightower gave the suspect verbal commands to drop the knife, which the suspect ignored. Concerned for the safety of the victim being stabbed and others in the area, Officer Hightower discharged his duty weapon and struck the suspect. The suspect then got in his vehicle, drove a short distance from the gas station and died in the vehicle. The stabbing victim was transported to Memorial Hermann Northwest Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

As is customary in HPD officer-involved shootings in the city limits, this case is being investigated by the HPD Homicide and Internal Affairs Divisions and the Harris County District Attorney's Office.

VHS/JFC 7-11-11
Inc. #090010111

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.